Thursday, November 30, 2006

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date.No time to say hello, good-bye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm lateI'm late and when I wave, I lose the time I save.My fuzzy ears and whiskers took me too much time to shave.I run and then I hop, hop, hop, I wish that I could fly.There's danger if I dare to stop and here's a reason why:I'm over-due, I'm in a rabbit stew. Can't even say good-bye,hello, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late.

And, to think many women must be up and out of the house by Eight O'clock...every morning.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

I found Angus and the Cat a little choppy to read outloud and even thought it might be missing pages, it was that choppy.

Angus and the ducks is just right.

Great Book study for Emma and me.

We each have a copy and I will have to buckle down to keep up with Emma. Her book came in two days before mine (at the library).

The folks at Mitford will have to wait. They seem a patient bunch.I am reading At home in Mitford like a true resident of that sleepy hamlet.SLOWLY.

I am also studying;

this language program on loan from the library.I will let you know how much I can learn in two weeks.It is a brand new item at our library (I'm the first to use it) perhaps I can renew it multiple times before other folks know it is there :o)

Finally I have a request from Katie;She wonders if other children have imaginary friends when they are seven.

I told her I would ask you all.

She's hoping someone will say it is still okay to have an imaginary friend at nineteen.

I just smiled when she said this...but thought, yes some folks do still have imaginary friends when they are nineteen, but most of them are on medication; poor dears.

"Thus, if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you aretrying to obey Him.But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven, as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you."

C.S.Lewis

Oh how I love that...first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.

Sometimes it may seem like just a dull burning ember....but on a good day..

Friday, November 24, 2006

Hi there!

Hope your day was a great big success :o)I posted that Scooby Doo cause he is so funny and makes me smile :o)Believe it or not, I don't think I have ever seen a whole episode of Scooby Doo...but I know how he talks. Like Astro and a bit like Tigger. Woo-who-who-who!!!

I wanted to tell you about a fun game we played over at the relatives house yesterday.

It is called Ticket to Ride.

This link will tell you all about the game.Emma just now tells me she played this in England with the Waldeckers last summer.She also said it was the #1 board game in Germany in 2004.

************

Guess who has been shopping already this morning?

Moi.

Yep.

Bought something.

But, I did not leave the comfort of my computer seat.

So smart :o)

Really I didn't plan on buying anything today.But, this pattern just became available so I ponied up the five buckeroooosand now I'm excited to knit a pattern designed by beautiful and talented, Wendy.

************

Do you go out into the fray to shop today?I don't.Millions love it, love it, love it!

But not me.I feel a bit un-American :o)

Emma, however, will be working all day today and tomorrow at Old Navy.She's young. She will not complain.

Favourite Love Song: I Remember YouFavourite Memories: Usually involve laughing with loved ones.Favourite Nonfiction Book: Ina Garten cookbooks, The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace, Poetry and quotes in Gateway to Joy by Elisabeth Elliot Favourite Operatic Song: Nessun Dorma ( I had to looks listen to the snippets at Amazon this morning from the only Opera Cd I won; The Three Tenors, to find a song I liked. This is a beautiful and dramatic piece. You would know it too, if you heard it :o) My opera is basically limited to background music from cartoons and movies.Favourite Piece of Music at the moment: How to save a life (Grey's Anatomy music sung by the Fray)Favourite Quiet Spot: The couch.Favourite Reading when you're sick: I am so rarely sick. Once when I was recovering from a ruptured appendix and I was very sick a friend brought me the book A Wrinkle in Time to read. She thought it would help....it did.Favourite Song that you want played at your funeral: In Christ AloneFavourite Task: KnittingFavourite Ugly Animal: pig

I wish for you all... a day with plenty of time to organize and prepare for tomorrow.Safe travels for all of you who will be on the road,cheerful visitors,hungry tummies,big laughs,grateful hearts a clean kitchen and enough room in your fridge for all the leftovers :o)

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

So I just decided not to think about it. Just like Scarlett.Even thinking about it in a positive way was not working.But, distraction worked pretty well.

Call it what you will...

It has been said that denial is like a warm coat. You keep it on because it is awfully cold when you take it off.You wear it for a reason.

So Emma and I searched for and booked hotels in Paris, Florence and Rome.I tried to book rail passage from Paris to Florence.It seems to be a little early to do that.

We watched the first part of Lady Jane. I waited for months for this movie to come in at the library.Did one of you recommend it?

Katie and I read The Courage of Sarah Noble.

I have to bribe Katie to read to her. Isn't that sad.

So I scratched her back and read two chapters.

Then I read to her when she ate dinner.

This was genius.

Katie ate very well and she finally got interested in the story.

We sat on the couch to finish the final two chapters.

She listened willingly.

Here is a poem I just stumbled upon this morning in Step by Step (A Pathway Reader)

Forget each kindness that you doAs soon as you have done it;Forget the praise that falls to youThe moment you have won it;Forget the slander that you hearBefore you can repeat it;Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer,Whenever you may meet it.

Remember every kindness doneTo you, whate'er its measure;Remember praise by others wonAnd pass it on with pleasure;Remember every promise madeAnd keep it to the letter;Remember those who lend you aidAnd be a grateful debtor.

Remember all the happinessThat comes your way in living;Forget each worry and distress,Be hopeful and forgiving;Remember good, remember truth,Remember heaven's above you,And you will find, through age and youth,True joys and hearts to love you.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Now Thank We All Our God

Now thank we all our God,With heart and hands and voices,Who wondrous things has done,In whom this world rejoices;Who from our mothers' armsHas blessed us on our wayWith countless gifts of love,And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous GodThrough all our life be near us,With ever joyful heartsAnd blessed peace to cheer us;And keep us still in grace,And guide us when perplexed;And free us from all ills,In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to GodThe Father now be given;The Son, and him who reignsWith them in highest heaven;The one eternal God,Whom earth and heaven adore;For thus it was, is now,And shall be evermore.

Friday, November 17, 2006

SoupWhat is one thing you said you'd never do, but you eventually did?

Marry a smoker.

Salad Who is the teacher that influenced you the most in school?

No one. I was influenced by neighbors and friends and family and authors but not by any teachers that I can think of.

Main Course If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be and why?

I think I would like to be Oprah. Cause I could really do that show. And I would love to get to ask the questions.And there would be a chef and trainer and Chicago and I would be building a school in Africa. Yeah. It would be an interesting day.

Dessert What is your favorite dish to prepare?

It's more like...favorite dish to eat after I have prepared it. I don't know that I actually like the preparation time. Just the eating.Actually the making is a pain in the butt. The gravy making comes at the most stressful time. I have the big roaster turned sideways so it sits on two burners. It's super hot in the kitchen.

But the results are delicious.

Homemade turkey gravy.

Fine Art

You must click on this painting by Swiss artist Albert Anker to see the home-y details.Notice momma resting in the shadows.I happen to love the linens.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

"But Smith, aside from being a football hero, family man and all-around decent dude, represents what people love about reality TV: That it could be us up there, going from shuffling newbie to king of the swing in 16 short weeks, and taking home the big prize."Steve Tilly, Edmonton Sun

And to think...neither of my sisters called to gloat.Ain't they sweet :o)

******

Katie went with the dental assistant happy as a lark,and emerged five ten minutes later, thinking her mommy was a big fat liar.

"It did not even hurt one little bit."

Once the dentist got a good look at the little tiny cavity, he decided to scrape away a bit of the decay and just placed a sealant on it. No drilling needed.

Painless....and cheaper.

Hooray!

So we went to Whole Foods and bought some yummy treats (strawberries for Katie, Curried Chicken Salad for me) and some Burt's Bees lip gloss for Katie.

*****

Three days = three tiny socks ornaments for teacher gifts.

I hope to find some red sock yarn...soon.....

*******

I'm hungry, let's talk about food :o)

If you could go out to eat tomorrow night...anywhere in the world;Where would you go?

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Souls are not made sweet by taking [ill tempers] out, but by putting something in -- a great Love, a new Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. Christ, the Spirit of Christ, interpenetrating ours, sweetens, purifies, transforms all. This can only eradicate what is wrong, renovate and regenerate, and rehabilitate the inner man. Will-power does not change men. Time does not change men. Christ does. Therefore "Let that mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."Henry Drummond, The Greatest Thing in the World

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

My friend, Camy, has a big brother, Boyd, stationed in Iraq. I am praying for his safety while serving and his for his safe return to his homeland and family.

They seem like little things...But sometimes the little things are the only things we have any control over.

I saw election results come in on the computer last night. And some of the good folks I voted for didn't win. And I was really not that invested anyway. (But I have some good friends who supported a candidate they truly believed in and he lost also)

So I do what I can, in my little world.

There are plenty of places to love and serve and let a little sun shine in...

The National elections may get all the attention, and I will continue to vote...but it's the day to day, the everyday,that matters.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Cynthia Rylant keeps writing about Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby.And we keep smiling right along with her.

Click to see the cover of this sweet book.

Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry are next door neighbors. They are the best kind of friends. Their pets do what most pets do; they keep us company and entertain us just a little, and wreak havoc now and then.

Well...and then you add knitting and yarn to the mix. Classic Putter!

I think if I had a biographer, it would be Cynthia Rylant.

Her stories are quiet and simple with a little chaos or adventure thrown in.

Monday, November 06, 2006

I am not a big planner of this sort of thing. We should have taken the picture the night before when everyone was awake...with bright eyes, dry hair and makeup.

Really, I think everyone looks quite nice for the time and the effort.

And even if it is not going to be The Christmas Photo...

it's a good reminder of that time...at that place.

Highlights of the trip to Omaha-

*Fabulous weather for soccer. One exciting soccer win.*Lots of volleyball matches!!! Two game wins. New experiences, hard work, and lots of fun.*Visiting with gentle, thoughtful Melinda.*Meeting funny, talkative Shelby.*Staying with even-keeled Matthew(it really was nice to stay at his place!)*Watching Patrick goof around with the folks at work.*New places, new apartments, new kittens...*Yummy food, loads of laughter, plenty of hugs.

It was great to spend time with The Girlfriends. It's neat to see them interact with the boys. Both girls were so sweet with Katie. They made sure Katie was not totally lost in the big person shuffle.Thank you, Melinda and Shelby :o)

Other than that...it was just a fantastic time spent with the ones I love.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Omaha or Bust

The National Homeschool Volleyball Tournament is being held in Omaha this weekend. Emma left minutes ago. Katie and I will follow tomorrow and dh will come when he is done with work(on an undisclosed and later date.)

Emma is staying in at the hotel with the soccer families.(The National Soccer Tournament is in Omaha, too.)

Katie and I will be staying with Matthew! I'm looking forward to a nice visit with the boys and Melinda and perhaps meeting Shelby.

Katie can't wait to see Melinda and her new kitten.And of course, her big brothers :o)

What a different life little Katie has with siblings who are so much older than her.It is sure to mold her personality in some unique ways.Don't you think?

I won't be able to post in the morning so I will leave you with a little something I read last night from Jan Karon's At Home in Mitford;

"Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you've done for us. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray."

About Me

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands.
~1 Thess. 4:11
Commonly heard: Add to the Beauty, What happens matters, Encourage one another, Love you. Mean it.